In Fractured Vows, the first book in the Fraser Crime Syndicate series, Sariah/Alice Easton is forced to marry the head of one of UK’s crime syndicates and thus establish alliances between syndicates. A man who could be her grandfather and whose reputation for violence against women precedes him, terrifies the young woman who has just turned eighteen. Therefore, she has decided to lose her virginity on her own terms. She thus meets Lucas “Luke” Fraser, but neither reveals their true identities.
The alliance Sariah’s father wants to make worries Lucas’s parents, so the wedding must be avoided at all costs. And it’s then that they end up kidnapping Sariah to marry her to Lucas. Sariah and Luke’s surprise when their true identities come to light is off the charts…
Sariah is to everyone the spoiled little princess of a mob boss, but things aren’t as they appear. Her father sees her as a commodity and doesn’t care about Sariah. In fact, he hates her so much he doesn’t hesitate to impose himself by force of blows. She lives trapped in a golden cage, without money or resources, so marriage will be the key to her freedom. Or not?
Lucas has an innate violence, he enjoys killing and torturing people. But, contrary to his father and the fiancé who have been imposed on Sariah, he would never abuse a woman. And it’s that his sense of loyalty to the people he loves is so strong that he’s capable of anything to keep them safe. Did I mention that Luke enjoys killing and torturing yet?
“This is who I am. I’m a monster, Sariah. I’ve killed men, hurt them, painted the walls with their blood. I don’t regret any of it.“
The chemistry of both main characters is excellent, there’s no doubt about it. However, the first half of the book seemed too sweet for me. I mean, even though the light (Sariah) and dark (Luke) formula works, I didn’t find it entirely natural. On the other hand, I would have liked to dig deep in Luke’s “darkness”. It’s a mafia romance, isn’t it? I didn’t see as many demons inside Luke as he claimed to have… It’s not that if I squeeze the book sheds blood, but at least it should have more depth regarding Luke’s personality.
I felt the story split in two and they both confront each other: Luke and Sariah’s romance vs. the machinations of the mafia world. And, oddly enough, I preferred the mafia side of the book. I understand that it gives more consistency to the plot. On the other hand, the secondary characters appeal more to the criminal side and give perspective to the story. Also, we could have a glimpse of what could be in the next books of the series.
Hope makes a person want things that can’t be theirs, and it pushes them into impossible situations.
Despite the fact that you could feel sometimes disconnected from the romantic part of the book, its reading is quick and smooth, which gives the story more appeal. Ms. Ames’ writing is very good and she shows full control of the world that she has created. Likewise, it’s nice to see a heroine who has gone through what Sariah has suffered to have her long-awaited happy ending.
ARC given by the author and The Next Step PR via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review. Thank you for your trust.
About the Book
Release Date: January 20, 2022
ASIN: B09D2QJP1T
Published By: Independent Publisher
Series: Fraser Crime Syndicate #1
Genre: Mafia Romance
eBook, 226 pages
Sariah
4 weeks, 28 days, 672 hours—that’s all I have left until my fate is sealed.
I am promised to a monster. A man twice my age. He plans to keep me like a pretty doll, making me move to whatever whims he has.
Trapped, all my choices are taken away apart from one.
A handsome stranger. He tells me his name is Lucas and for one night I’m able to leave my cursed future behind. The pull to Lucas is unexplainable and undeniable. One thing is certain—I have to find a way out of this arranged marriage. I have to claim my life back. And Lucas might be the key.
Lucas
Sariah has secrets. I can see it in her eyes. There’s a sadness that swirls within them, a fear of what we’re doing. I want to know who put that look on her face and protect her from it. I will burn the world to ashes to keep her safe.
But when the truth is revealed, and I learn she is being forced to wed a man who has a reputation darker than my own, I realise how much danger Sariah is in. I’m not sure the might of the Fraser crime family will be enough to save her life.
Or mine.
*Warning : Contains adult content, reading age 18 +. Graphic violence and dark emotional scenes that may trigger some readers.
About the Author
USA Today Bestselling Author Jessica Ames resides in a small market town in the Midlands, England. She lives with her crazy terrier and when she’s not writing romance books, she’s playing with crochet hooks!
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